OLD Recreation: Get Out

Women taking up fly-fishing in greater numbers

Joanna Decker is a fly-fishing instructor in Washington state, fishing on the Snoqualmie River. (Kevin P. Casey, The Associated Press)

There are no exact numbers, but by and large, fly-fishing has long been regarded as a "male-dominated" activity. There's little doubt that a female angler on the banks of a trout stream a few years ago would raise an eyebrow.

Not anymore.

An unscientific survey of Colorado's fly-fishing cognoscenti confirms that somewhere in the past decade, women have made a significant ingress.

"Fly-fishing is very restorative," said Erica Stock of Trout Unlimited. "It's not a race. It's not a competition. It's meant to relax you."

And so, she explains, fishing emanates a kind of welcoming atmosphere from one angler to the next, whether male or female. Sure, there's a bit of my-fish-is-bigger rivalry on any stream, but Stout said fishing's inherently mellow nature takes the edge off most clashes of ego. She also notes that, much like yoga, fishing offers a kind of mental relaxation that is often hard to find.

"It has a meditative quality," she said. "You have to remember that you will never achieve perfection, so you have to go into a kind of Zen Buddhist mind-set."

The mental aspects of fishing tend to level the playing field between the sexes, especially in a sport in which the gentle touch is more effective than raw strength.

"It's funny how often we'll have a couple out on a trip and the woman will often do better," said Dave Johnson, owner of the Crystal Fly Shop in Carbondale.

Johnson eschewed beginner's luck for a more pragmatic explanation: "Women have a great sense of listening to their guide," he said.

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Guides and fly-shop owners are listening to their female customers as well. Johnson said that there's not a fly shop he's aware of that doesn't offer some kind of specialty female gear, most notably in vests and waders, where fit makes a big difference.

Denver-based Fishpond, which specializes in fishing gear, has created the Chica Women's Vest, which was beta-tested with some of Colorado's top fisherwomen. Designing women's fishing gear can be a challenge, said Fishpond co-owner Ben Kurtz.

"Most fisherwomen won't want to go out in pink, and the stereotypical chick's gear, so you have to have something that's a blend of what's appealing, but not offensive," Kurtz said.

Beyond color schemes, comfort level is critical, Stock said.

"There's nothing worse than spending a day physically uncomfortable on the river," she said. "But most gear manufacturers understand that women are not small men. Our feet aren't as wide, and we have hips, so we're going to want to get equipment that's made to fit our bodies and allows us to move freely in the water."

The R.L. Winston Rod Company has a rod designed by the petite yet powerful Joan Wulff, one of fly-fishing's most accomplished casters, who once cast 161 feet in competition. The rod is loved by both genders, but female anglers can perhaps find a bit of solidarity in using one of Wulff's designs. A shaped handle provides a more secure grip for those with small hands.

A Wulff rod is also a keen reminder that, when it comes to casting, technique is far more critical than strength.

The same is true for all aspects of fly-fishing. Patience, precision casting and experience are paramount. Brute strength is almost always detrimental. There's good reason women have returned to their rightful place on the river enjoying one of humankind's most enduring pastimes.

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